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When your child is struggling, it can be difficult to know what they need or where to turn. You may notice increased anxiety, emotional outbursts, changes in behavior, difficulty at school, withdrawal, or challenges adjusting to something happening in your family. At Common Spring Therapy Group, we provide compassionate, developmentally responsive child therapy in Midland, Michigan. Our therapists help children express themselves, understand their emotions, strengthen coping

Your child’s teacher says they had a great day. They followed directions. They completed their work. They played with friends. There were no major concerns. Then they get home. Suddenly, everything is wrong! Their sibling looks at them the wrong way and they explode. You ask them to put their shoes away and they burst into tears. They’re yelling, arguing, whining, or melting down over something that seems incredibly small. It can leave parents wondering: If my child can hold

A new school year brings a lot of change! Maybe new teachers, new classrooms, new expectations, new routines, new classmates, or for some children, an entirely new school. A little nervousness about going back to school is normal. Even children who are excited may wonder who they'll sit with at lunch, whether they'll like their teacher, or if the work will be too hard. But sometimes those first-day jitters become something bigger. Back-to-school anxiety can show up in ways pa

Children are constantly communicating with us. Sometimes they do it with words. Sometimes they do it with hugs, laughter, or smiles.And sometimes, they communicate through behaviors that leave us feeling frustrated, confused, or even helpless. A slammed bedroom door. A meltdown in the grocery store. A child who suddenly refuses to go to school. A teenager who answers every question with "fine." While these behaviors can be challenging, they're often doing something important

If you’re looking for play therapy in Midland, Michigan, you may be wondering what it actually looks like and whether it can help your child. Play therapy is an evidence-informed approach that helps children express feelings, process experiences, and build coping skills through the language they know best: play. What is play therapy? Play therapy is a structured, therapeutic relationship where a trained clinician uses play (toys, art, games, movement, and storytelling, etc.)

If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I've taken away the tablet." "I've grounded them." "I've tried time-outs." "Nothing is working." You're not alone. Many parents have been taught that consequences are the primary way children learn. While consequences certainly have a place, they're often only one small piece of the puzzle. If a child's behavior isn't changing, it's usually because the consequence isn't addressing the reason the behavior is happening in the first place

If you're considering play therapy for your child, you're probably wondering: "What actually happens in a play therapy session?" Many parents imagine a room full of toys and wonder if their child will simply spend the hour playing. The short answer is yes, your child will play. But that play is purposeful, intentional, and guided by a therapist with specialized training in child development and play therapy. Here's what you can expect. First, What Is Play Therapy? Play is a c

When adults want us to know how they're feeling, they often use words. Children often use play. In play therapy, toys become a child's language and play becomes their way of communicating experiences, emotions, questions, and hopes. Rather than asking children to explain complicated feelings, play therapists create a safe space where those feelings can naturally emerge through play. One of the most meaningful ways therapists understand a child's inner world is by noticing pla

If you've ever wondered, "How can playing with toys actually help my child?" you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions parents ask when they first hear about play therapy. The answer is simple: play is a child's natural language! Just as adults often process experiences by talking, children process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play. Play therapy provides a safe, supportive environment where children can express themselves, build coping skill